Extruder Drive The extruder drive is the mechanism responsible for feeding filament into the 3D printer’s hot end. It typically consists of a motor, gears, and a tensioning system that ensures the filament is securely pushed through the extruder. There are two main types of extruder drives: direct drive, where the motor is mounted close to the hot end, and Bowden drive, where the filament is fed through a PTFE tube before reaching the hot end. The extruder drive’s design significantly impacts print quality, extrusion consistency, and compatibility with flexible filaments. Upgrading or maintaining the extruder drive is essential for reliable and precise 3D printing. |